Cleaning material supporting device



Nov. 1, 1932. L. s. HIRTH 1,886,338

CLEANING MATERIAL SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed March 6, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet lNov. 1, 1932 L. s. HERTH 1,886,33

CLEANING MATERIAL SUPPORTING DEVICE Filed Marchfi, 1950 2 Shee'ts-Sheei2 LOUIS S. HIRTH, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS, ASSIGZN'OR F ONE-HALF TO LOUISCEGILI'USv Patented Nov. 1, 1932 UNITE .15:

SAHM, OFOHIGAGO, ILLINOIS CLEANING MATERIAL SUPPORTING DEVICEApplication filed March 6,

for future use.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a mop constructionto obviate the aforementioned objections and one that is simple, sturdy,and inexpensive.

According to the above objects, the present invention contemplates amaterially simplified mop construction, including a holder having aslightly arcuate portion with contiguous straight side portionsextending from the extremities of the arcuate portion. The

arcuate portion is channeled or grooved to a depth greater than thethickness of thestitched portion of the mopping element and its sidesare straight and the bottom curved to grip firmly and securely the mopproper and thereby prevent its displacement. s an additional assuranceagainst displacement of the mop proper, projections or protuberances areformed near the ends of the arcuate portion and atthe center thereofover which the mop proper is tightly stretched by means of a strandedcable threaded through the stitched portion of the mopping element. Oneend of the stranded cable is fastened to a needle-shaped elementdesigned to engage a hook on a sleeve in which a handle is inserted,

while the other end of the cable is secured to an adjustable cam type ofclamp which tightens the cable and which is locked against accidentaldisplacement by the engagement of an element integral therewith with thehook also formed on the sleeve diametrically opposite the other hook.

According to a modification, the arcuate and straight portions are eachchanneled or grooved, but in the case of the arcuate portion 1930.Serial No. 433,640.

the depth of the channelor groove is greater than the thickness ofthestitched portion of the mopping element and the sides and bottom ofthe channel are as previously described.

In addition, the stranded cable is fastened to an adjustable loop endadapted to engage a hook on a sleeve in which the handle is inserted.The other end of the cable is fastened to a cam type of clamp whichdraws the cable taut due to its cooperationwith another hook of somewhatdifi'erent shape and which when freely compressed is locked againstaccidental displacement.

A better and clearer understanding of the invention may be had from thefollowing de-' scription, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Fig. 1 is an elevational view showing the novel andimportant structure features of the p;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mop illustrated inFig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a View of the mop showing the stitching;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the mop illustrated in Fig. 5;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the mop illustrated in Fig. 5opposite to that shown in Fig. 6, and

Fig. 7 is a view of one form of mop that may be advantageously used.

Referring now to the drawings in which the same reference charactersindicate similar parts in the several figures, the improved mop consistsof three. principal parts, a handle 5, a frame 6, and a mopping element7 all from any suitable or desired kind of material,

but in the preferred form of the invention it is cast, such as by diecasting, thereby to reduce its cost of manufacture and elminatemachining operations.

As shown in Fig. 1, the frame 6 consists of side portions 8 and 9 whichare contiguous with a connecting portion or a section 10. The section 10is grooved or channeled but the portions 8 and 9 have plain or flatsurfaces. The side portions 8 and 9 are straight for the greater part oftheir length but turn at an abrupt angle near one extremity there of andextend to a sleeve or ferrule integral therewith, which is apertured asshown at 16 to decrease the weight of the frame. The portion or section10 is curved slightly, and as viewed in Fig. 2, is channeled or groovedat 17, formed by flanges 18 and 19, which flare as shown at 20' and 21,has straight walls 22-22, and an arcuate portion 23, the purpose ofwhich will be more apparent as the description progresses. Located inthe groove 17 and transversely thereof at points mediate the otherprojections.

near the flared portions 20 and 21 are projections or protuberances 24or 25 with a similar projection 26 formed in the groove 17 inter- Theseprojections extend slightly above the arcuate portions 23 and serve togrip firmly the mop element 7 to be positioned in the groove 17.

The handle 5 is fitted in the sleeve or ferrule 15 on a slighttaper andis rigidly secured thereto by a screw 11 or other suitable type offastening device. Also in order to insure against turning movement ofthe handle 5, two sharpened projections 12 and 13 are formed integralwith the sleeve or ferrule 15.

which dig into the end of the handle 5 and hold it against rotarymovement, while the screw 11 prevents its withdrawal. With such aconstruction an exceptionally rigid and substantial joinder is madebetween the handle 5 and the frame or holder 6.

Integral with the sleeve or ferrule 15 are two diametrically oppositelydisplaced and similarly shaped hooks 27 and 28. The hook 27 which has acurved portion 29 serves as the fastening for a needle-shaped member 30attached by welding, brazing or otherwise to an end of a stranded cable31. As shown in Fig. 1 the member 30 has oneend drilled to receive theend of cable 31, while its other end is pointed comparatively sharplyfor the pur pose to be presently described. The hooks 27 and 28 are soshaped and positioned and the side portions 8 and 9 are so formed withrespect to the arcuate section 10 that the cable 31 is out of contactwith the sides 8 and 9 for substantially their entire length when heldfirmly by a latch 32. The latch 32 which is pivotally fastened to theother end of the ca- ;ble 31 through a U-shaped member and a threadedrod 34 which is secured to the cable 31 by welding, brazing orotherwise, cooperates with the'hook 28 to draw the cable 31 tightly inthe groove or channel 17 However,

the drawing of the cable taut is facilitated by a cam surface 35 formedon the projecting portion 36 of the latch 32 acting on the surface ofthe hook 28 such that when the latch 32 is moved by the handle 37 towardthe right or in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, a cammingaction results. The latch 32 is also provided with portions 3838, which.with the handle 37 in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are onopposite sides of the ferrule 15. Also in order to facilitate thesecurement of the latch 32, two elements 39 and40 are disposed onopposite sides of the projecting portion 36 and integral therewith. Thusthese two elements serve to center the portion 36 with respect to hook28. It will also be noted that the hooks 27 and 28 are so'positioned onthe ferrule 15 that the cable 31 with the latch 32 in its lockedposition will be straight along and out of contact with the sideportions 8 and 9, making possible a sufficient tightness of the cable 31to draw firmly the mop element 7 in the groove 17. In addition,attention is directed to the fact that both hooks 27 and 28 are thesame, which makes possible the reversal of the needleshaped member 30and the latch 32.

The frame or holder previously described may be used in any suitableform of mop element, but the particular type of mop selected forillustration of the invention, consists of a plurality of twistedstrands interwoven or stitched at a point intermediate their ends andprovided with a tunnel 41 (Fig. 3). The element 30 is threaded throughthe tunnel 41 and due to its pointed shapeit may be quick- 1y insertedeven though the mop has been previously used and cleaned, and has itseye fastened on the hook 27. By inserting the end of portion 36 insidethe projecting part of hook 28 and forcing the handle 37 in a clockwisedirection and due to the cam 35 and the fact that the length of thecable 31 has been previously adjusted by varying the position of the rod34, the cable will be drawn tight, resulting in the mop section beingfirmly engaged by the projections 24, 25 and 26 in the groove or channel17. Also, since the arcuate portion 23 of the channel 17 is of adiameter only slightly greater than the diameter of the cable 31, themop section will be firmly engaged by the sides of the portion 2222 andwill consequently be very positively secured. It is furthermore notedthat the portion or section 10 is substantially equal to the width ofthe mop and with the projections 24, 25 and 26 positioned as shown,spreading or creeping of the mop is prevented. In addition the cable ispulled along a straight line, thereby additionally insuring that the mopelement is securely held in the groove 17 Drainage for the moppingelement 7 is also allowed when not in use by providing spaced apertures42 and 43 in the curved section 10. Also as clearly shown in Fig. 1 themop is drawn into the apertures 42 and 43, thereby additionally insuringagainst its longitudinal movement.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7, the handle 5 is securedto a frame or holder designated generally by the numeral 45. The frameor holder 45 is similar in many respects to the holder 6, and thosefeatures of similarity are indicated by the same reference characters.As shown in Fig. 4, the holder consists of side portions 46 and 47 whichare contiguous with a connecting portion or section 10. Each of theseportions are grooved or channeled but to a different degree. 7 In thecase of the side portions 46 and 47, the projecting flanges 48 and 49 donot extend outwardly to the same extent as is the case of the flanges 18and 19. The structural features of the connecting portion or section 10are the same as described with reference to Fig. 1, except that it is asolid casting and not cut out at 42 and 43 as shown in Fig. 1, and forthese reasons a further description thereof is not considered necessary.

Integral with the sleeve 50 are two oppositely disposed and differentlyshaped hooks 51 and 52. The hook 51 which has a curved portion 53 servesas the fastening for the loop member 54 attached to a threaded element55 which has a sleeve 56 secured by welding or otherwise to an end of astranded cable 57. The cable 57 is adapted to be positioned in thegrooves formed by the flanges 48 and 49, and 18 and 19, and held firmlyby a latch 58. The latch 58, which is pivotally fastened to the otherend of the cable 5'? through a U-shaped member 59, which like the sleeve56 is firmly secured to the cable 57, cooperates with the book 52 todraw the cable tightly in the grooves or channels. The tightening of thecable is also facilitated by a cam surface 60 formed on the projectingportion 61 of the latch 58 acting on a surface of the hook 52. The latch58 is also provided with portions 38-38 which are on opposite sides ofthe ferrule when the latch is in its locked portion.

The mop 62 shown in Fig. 7 merely consists of a plurality of twistedstrands interwoven or stitched at a point intermediate the ends. The mopis laid over the cable 56 which has the loop member 54 fastened on thehook 51 with the stitched portion in juxtaposition to the cable. Thecable is then drawn tight by securing the latch 58 to the hook 52 in themanner already described. Adjustment of the length of the cable can, ofcourse, be obtained by means of the threaded rod 55.

Although the invention has been described as applied to a particulartype of apparatus, it is obvious that modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed.

l/Vhat is claimed is:

1. In a mop holder, the combination with a handle of a head securedthereto, said head having substantially straight side portions, aslightly arcuate channeled center portion integral with the sideportions, a ferrule integral with said side portions adapted to receivesaid handle, a pair of books disposed on opposite sides of saidferrule,a mop supporting stranded flexible cable, and means secured tosaid cable and cooperating with said hooks for drawing said cable tautin said channel.

2. In a mop holder, the combination with a handle of a head securedthereto, said head having substantially straight side portions, aslightly arcuate channeled center portion integral with the sideportions with the bottom of the channel curved and the side wallsstraight and inclined outwardly, a ferrule integral with said sideportions adapted to receive said handle, a pair of hooks disposed onopposite sides of said ferrule and with their hooking surfacespositioned laterally beyond the outer extremity of the side portionadjacent the ferrule, a mop supporting stranded flexible cable, andmeans secured to said cable and cooperating with said hooks for drawingsaid cable taut in said channel and holding said cable out of contactwith the side portions substantially for the entire length of the sideportions.

3. In a mop holder, the combination with a handle of a head securedthereto, said head having substantially straight side portions, aslightly arcuate channeled center portion integral with the sideportions having spaced apertures in the bottom of the channel, aferruleintegral with said side portions adapted to receive said handle, a pairof diametrically oppositely disposed similar hooks integral with saidferrule, a mop supporting stranded flexible cable, and means secured tosaid cable and cooperating with sa1d hooks for drawing sa1d cable tautin said channel.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 4th day of March,A. D., 1930.

LOUIS S. I-IIRTH.

